Across the country and Texas, car accidents remain one of the leading causes of death and injuries. If the concept of eliminating all car collisions seems far-fetched, think again. It is a very real possibility.

Thanks to advancements in technology, this will be achieved within the next few years. Unlike popular belief, it does not involve self-driving cars. It involves innovation driven by technology using V2V (vehicle to vehicle) devices.

An initiative to have vehicles equipped with this new V2V technology has been announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to Time Magazine, all new vehicles would be equipped with V2V technology within the next five (5) years, if the initiative is adopted.

Understanding V2V technology

When vehicles come within a specific distance of each other, a short-range communication device is automatically activated by V2V technology. This allows for “communication” between the vehicles.

Another aspect of this technology allows for vehicles to “communicate” with stationary objects equipped with similar devices. For example, a traffic light or stop sign equipped with the device can alert the driver and remotely apply the brakes, avoiding a collision.

In a NHTSA announcement, administrator Mark Rosekind

said “V2V and automated vehicle technologies each hold great potential to make our roads safer, and when combined, their potential is untold. Advanced vehicle technologies may well prove to be the silver bullet in saving lives on our roadways.”

Pros/Cons of V2V Technology

As outlined by Wired Magazine, some of the benefits of V2V Technology are as follows:

Improvement of traffic flow

Alternate routes provided in case of accidents or traffic jams

Increase in fuel efficiency

Collision prevention through automatic brake system

Drivers updated with personalized, real-time information. These include upcoming appointments, changes in schedules through text messages, e-mails or phone calls

As outlined by The Car Connection, some possible downsides include:

Internet Hacking

Higher Costs of Cars

There are potential risks involved due to V2V devices sharing electronic information, although the Department of Transportation insists that internet firewalls will protect V2V devices from a potential hacker. A driver’s personal information could be at risk or a hacker remotely taking control over a vehicle may intentionally cause a collision in the case of a cyber attack.

In case of an accident, it’s of utmost importance to consult an auto accident attorney like Jaime Alvarado who has extensive experience and knows the law. Despite advances, no technology is foolproof. Vehicles continue to pose a danger, as is seen in the fatal car accident on May of 2016 involving a self driving car. Please call 852.0500 for your free consultation